Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-22
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT.
much Ado About Nothing
LEADING REPUBLICANS AFFECT MUCH
INDIGNATION.

LEADING REPUBLICANS AFFECT MUCH
INDIGNATION.
The SOUTH "CALM AND SERENE"
As during the past week the leading Re-
publicans of the North have been giving ex-
pressions Of indignation, and have attempt
ed to lash popular sentiment in that section
into fury, and have been. out-bel flowing the
bulls of Bashan, and frothing at the mouth
like mad dogs, that our readers may know
the cause, or rather the want of cause, of all
this, we publish the documents in reference
to theorder to restore to the different States,
North as well as South, the flags belonging
to their commands, that had been captured
during the war. "These flags have been
stored away in boxes just like any old rub
bish in remote and obscure hooks in the
attic of the War Department" 1t was
thought that it would be better to restore
them to the different States to which they
originally belonged, and that it would be a
wise and graceful act to do SO, and THAI it
would tend to harmony and nationality,
and hence the order given to effect that
purpose. The following is the full text Of
General Drums letter to the Secretary OF
War:
"War Observation-Disclosures Generals
Office, Washington, April 80, 1SS7.-Hon.
VIM. G. Endicott, Secretary of War-Sir:
have the honor to state that there are now
in this Office (stored in one of the attic
rooms of the building) q number of Union
flags captured in action, but recovered on
the fall of the Confederacy and forwarded
to the War Department for safe keeping,
together with number Confederate flags,
which the fortunes of war placed in our
hands during the late civil war. While in
the past favorable action has always been
taken ON application, properly supported,
for the return of Union flags to organiza-
lions representing survivors of the military
regiments in the service of the government,
| beg to submit that it would be grace.
full act to anticipate future requests Of this
nature, and venture to suggest the pro-
priety of returning all the flags (Union and
Confederate) to the authorities of the re-
spective States in which the regiments
which bore these colors were organized for
such final disposition as they may deter.
mine. While in all of the civilized nations
of the old world trophies taken in wars
against foreign enemies have been careful
| ~ preserved and exhibited as proud me
| mentoes of the nations military glories,
wise and obvious reasons have always ex-
copied from the rule evidences Of past inter
| necine troubles which, by appeals to the
4 81 Iox7 o.,
the peaceful march of a people to its des
tiny. Over twenty years have elapsed SINCE
the Termination of the late civil war. Many
of the prominent leaders, civil and military
| of the late Confederate States are now
honored representatives of the people il
the national councils, or in other eminen
positions lend the aid of their talents to ths
wise administration of the affairs of tht
whole country, and the people Of the sew
eral States composing the Union are nov
united, treading the broader road to glo-
| rious future. Impressed with these facts,
have the honor to submit the suggestion
made in this letter for the careful consider
alton it will receive at your hands. Very
truly yours,
r. G. DRUM, Adjutant-G General.
The Endorsement of the Secretary Of Wa
upon this letter was as follows:
"War Department., May 26, 1S87.-Tht
within recommendation is approved by tn
President, and the Acknowledgements viii
prepare letters to Governors of these State
whose troops carried the colors and flag
now in this department, with the offer tt
| return them as herein proposed, the history
of each flag and the circumstance of it,
capture or recapture TO lie given.
fWM. G. ENDIGoTT,
Secretary of War"
The following is copy of the circular
sent by the Adjutant- General to the Gov
ernor of each State:-
"SIR: The president of the United States
having approved the recommendation thai
all the flags in the custody OF the war de
partment be returned to the authorities o
the respective states in which the regiment
| which bore them were organized for sucf
am instructed by the honorable secretary O
war to make you lin the name Of the wa
Department. tender of the flags, now il
this office, belonging to the late voluntee
organizations of the state Of.
''In discharging this pleasant duty bes
You will please advise me of your wishes il
this matter. 1t is the intention, in return
ing each flag, to give its history as far as i
is possible to do so, stating the circumstance
of it's capture and recovery.
IL have the honor to be, very respectful
" your obedient servant,
"R. N. DRUM, Adjutant-Ge General )
When this circular was sent out Gov
!, Foraker of Ohio, General Lucius Fairchild
of Wisconsin, commander in chief of tn
Grand Army Of the Republic, and othe
Republicans, with the view Of maxim,
political capital against the Administrator
and the Democratic party, affected to b
very indignant, and like set of Camanch
Indians, put on their rod paint, aourishe'
the bloody shirt, aud raised hideous war
wboop.
The Washington correspondent of tn
Bait. San under date of June 18th, says
lit is perhaps unfortunatethat the flag
we're not permitted to moulder away IN
noticed and unthought of in their dnst,
receptacles, but however this may be, it il
well not to lose sight of the fact that D,
matter what may have transpired in privat
North and the South, the formal suggest
ions as to their return came entirely from
republican ex-Union soldiers. As was sail
in the statement issued from the Whit,
House last night the President, when th'
matter was laid before him, did not ex
anime into it very closely, regarding TIN
sources from which the suggestions came al
a sufficient evidence that there was no lega
bar in the way, aud taking fer granted TO
the same reasons that sentimental consider
ations in the North would approve AMI
favor the idea. And even now, after al
the fuss and fury which a few individuals
in different localities in the North ant
West have exhibited, it is not in the leas
going too far to assume that the great mas
of the earnest, practical people of the North
who do not make politics trade and whit
do not thrive on feuds and dissensions
would have no objection had the intention
in this matter been carried ont"
When all this fuss was raised, the atten
ton of the President was attracted, ant
upon more thorough investigation of hi
power in the promises, he concluded that i